Paris Auto Show – Volkswagen Golf V GTI Debuts at Paris

Our first drive impressions are coming up next week, but if there was any doubt that the GTI had lost its way with the Golf IV generation model, the Golf V GTI brings it right back home – dead center. The new GTI goes, handles and sounds like a GTI should. The 2.0l Turbo is a beautiful engine with great low end grunt and a wonderful growl at redline – better than the 1.8T engine in every way actually. We’re happy to report that the GTI is finally back. Till our full review next week the full press release from Paris follows below…

Wolfsburg / Paris, 23. September 2004 – The Golf GTI is a cult object. Number produced: more than 1.5 million. 93.2 percent of all Europeans recognise it. To them, Grand Tourisme Injection means driving pleasure, great handling and vehicle perfect. And now the new Golf GTI is here: Its launch phase is being started at the Paris Motor Show. The new model was shown for the first time as a study at the IAA in Frankfurt. The world premiere of the series version will be in Paris. Volkswagen is keeping its word and – as announced precisely one year ago – is launching the fifth Golf GTI generation on the first European markets in the autumn. It is thus closing the circle by linking back up to the original version in the series. Faster, more powerful and more independent than ever. A Golf GTI in the pure sporting tradition, honest and striking.

GTI performance: The Golf GTI, which is available in both a two-door and four-door version, is powered by an agile 200 hp FSI turbo engine (147 kW). With a six-speed gearbox as standard, the ultra-modern four-cylinder engine pushes the front-wheel-drive Golf GTI from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds. To accelerate from 60 to 100 km/h in 5th gear, the GTI, which can reach 235 km/h, needs just 7.5 seconds. Average fuel consumption is an economical 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres. In the DSG version with automatic Direct Shift Gearbox, the Golf GTI can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h even faster – in 6.9 seconds. Please note: we’re talking about the automatic version here. The efficiency of the Direct Shift Gearbox can be seen if we look at the average fuel consumption of the Golf GTI with DSG: 7.9 litres. In addition to the fully automatic mode, the automatic can also be switched on using keys on the optional multifunction steering wheel.

THE GOLF GTI ENGINE: A dynamic combination of direct injection and turbo charger

GTI Turbo: The 2.0 T-FSI in the Golf GTI has a high compression ratio of 10.5:1 and stands out because of its powerful torque (280 Newton metres between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm) as the ideal sports car engine. For the first time, Volkswagen is using a direct injection petrol engine with exhaust turbo charger for this 1,984 cc four-cylinder.

In detail, the 2.0 T-FSI uses the advantages of a homogenous direct fuel injection and combines it for the first time with the powerful benefits of a turbocharger. This has dynamic consequences: outstanding torque, an excellent response and driving pleasure at its best.

In design terms, the new engine harks back to the 110 kW / 150 hp 2.0 FSI (model series EA-113, 88 mm cylinder spacing) with coated direct petrol injection, as already used in the Golf. The main objectives in the development of the turbocharged FSI with its even more sporty, homogenous combustion, were, in terms of typical GTI characteristics, a clear improvement in performance whilst retaining the existing low consumption and emission values. Thanks to the core technologies of “direction injection” + “exhaust turbo charger” + “continuous intake camshaft adjustment” + “variable plastic controlled intake manifold” + further measures inside the engine, a very high level of efficiency was achieved. Like all Golf engines, the 2.0 T-FSI meets the requirements of the EU4 standard.

Alongside all the technical features, when it comes down to it, the new four-valve four-cylinder engine exactly fits the sportily agile character of the GTI without loosing any of the comfort and economy that have made the GTI so superb for everyday use for so long.

THE GOLF GTI EXTERIOR: A GTI through and through from every angle

The new Golf GTI is clearly a GTI from almost every angle and every distance. This applies for the front section in particular: For the first time in almost 30 years of the GTI, it is completely different from the other Golf models in terms of its totally independent radiator grill design. And so, more than ever, this front section succinctly expresses the GTI look. And that means: a black radiator grill with a red frame strip.

GTI-Front: The “grid” of the radiator grill is made up of a honeycomb structure. The same is true of the recesses for the fog lamps which are located to the left and right of the lower radiator grill element and designed in the style of additional air inlets. Between the lower and upper part of the radiator grill, a shiny black painted cross-piece with side lines rising upwards in a V shape creates a two-dimensional connection. With this completely new, powerful design, the integrated front spoiler below and the 15 mm lower sports running gear, the Golf GTI seems to suck up the road and the air in front of it like a racing car. Other visual GTI features: the darkened headlight frame (or in light chrome with Xenon) and, or course, the GTI lettering incorporated into the grid.

GTI tail: In the tail sector, it is the striking roof edge spoilers, the polished stainless steel double exhaust pipe ends (diameter: 2 x 70 mm), the newly designed lower bumper and, once again, the GTI logo that characterise this Golf as a sports car. The tail spoiler, which is larger than the Golf Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, takes on (like its earlier counterpart) a clear aerodynamic function by increasing the contact pressure of the Golf GTI, which can reach 235 km/h, on the road.

GTI Outline: GTI equipment and design elements also dominate the vehicle’s outline: Here, it is the 17″ alloy wheels (type: Denver) fitted as standard, with the 225/45 tyres, the lowering of the running gear described above, the red painted brake callipers of the particularly stable 16″ brake system, combined as standard with ESP, discreet black sill extensions and a black high-gloss baffle at the B pillars that give the GTI its extra flair.

GTI colours: The colours used for the exterior of the GTI also reflect its sporty appeal. There are colours, after all, which go more perfectly with the interplay of the black and red GTI specifications and the 17″ alloy wheels (fitted as standard) than others. “Tornado Red” and “Plain Black” for example, or “Candy White”, a shade similar to that offered for the original GTI. In addition, the Golf GTI is available in “Pearl Blue”, “Black Magic Pearl Effect”, “Reflex Silver Metallic”, “Blue Graphite Pearl Effect”, “United Grey Metallic”, “Shadow Blue Metallic” and “Laser Blue Pearl Effect”.

THE GOLF GTI INTERIOR: A new sports seat unit for a new GTI generation

If there is any such thing as a classic interior, then this description applies to the first GTI from 1976. The interior of the new Golf GTI shows the same kind of unique attitude, with the technologies and stylistic devices of the 21st century.

GTI sport seats: The newly designed GTI seat unit provides maximum comfort with excellent side hold and a sporting look. The high backrests and visually integrated yet adjustable headrests create an atmosphere of unusually sporty practicality. Its breathable “Interlagos” seat covers, whose classic design harks back to the look of the first generation of GTI seats, have also been newly developed. “Anthracite” and “Pure Beige” leather seats are also available as an option. The GTI lettering integrated into the headrest is yet another sign of the love of detail expressed in the interior.

GTI interior details: Like the first Golf GTI, the new generation also features a three-spoke steering wheel with aluminium decoration. Today, however, it is covered with perforated leather as standard, which gives an excellent grip. aluminium is also featured on the GTI gear stick, the decorative inserts (brushed aluminium) and the pedals. Another typical GTI feature is the black roof lining. Even the instruments have been designed specially for the GTI: The rev counter goes up to 8,000 rpm and the speedometer has been extended to the higher ranges. The instruments are enclosed in a smart aluminium frame.

The range of equipment of the GTI also includes as standard – in addition to all the features in the Trendline package – a multifunction display (on-board computer), front foot well lighting, automatic dimming interior mirror with light and rain sensor, the Coming-Home/Leaving-Home light function, which can be controlled from inside, and a tyre pressure monitoring display. Like the entire range, the GTI is also fitted with a complete safety package, including ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Program), crash-active front headrests, three headrests in the back and six airbags.

THE GOLF GTI-RUNNING GEAR: 15 millimetres less and yet lots more

GTI sports running gear: The safety running gear known from the fifth generation Golf with the front suspension strut and rear multi-link axle has been made much more dynamic for use in the new Golf GTI. The crucial steps that have been taken are its lowering by 15 mm to sports running gear level and the use of stronger stabilisers. In addition, the electromechanical servo steering has also been “reprogrammed” with a GTI operating map.

GTI brakes: The braking system has naturally also been adapted to the superb driving performance of the Golf GTI. Firstly, the GTI is slowed down by a new 16″ brake, and secondly, the ESP regulates the vehicle in a GTI-like way, i.e. neither exaggeratedly early and intensively, nor too late or too weakly. The linings of the red painted brake callipers enclose the internally ventilated disc brakes at the front, with a diameter of 312 mm and disc brakes at the rear with a diameter of 286 mm. In combination with the Dual Brake Assist system provided in the Golf as standard, this gives results that make braking just as much a pleasure as accelerating.

HISTORY OF THE GOLF GTI: 5,000 GTIs have become 1,500,000

GTI generations: The first series Golf GTI was launched in June 1976. The plan originally was to produce a limited edition of just 5,000. But things turned out differently. The 81 kW / 110 hp Golf GTI with a top speed of 182 km/h conquered a new clientele and formed the basis for the GTI class. 5,000 GTIs turned into more than 1.5 million. Here is a list of the main milestones in the life of the Golf GTI up to the premiere of the fifth generation: